Published at Monday, March 19th, 2018 - 01:02:19 AM. Ceiling Fan. By John.

Ceiling Fan Frequently Asked Questions
I. What is the purpose of a ceiling fan?
A ceiling fan serves two purposes
1. To provide a breeze thereby creating the "wind chill factor" 2. To circulate the air throughout a room or area
II. How do ceiling fans lower the temperature?
They dont, at least not literally. Unlike an air conditioner, ceiling fans do not directly affect the air temperature. That does not mean, however, that ceiling fans are not effective in cooling.
As pertaining to the two purposes listed in question (I):
1. The moving air from a ceiling fan will help you feel cooler regardless of the temperature of a room. It is much the same as being outside in the summer-- it can be 80-90 degrees, and if there is a breeze, it is very pleasant.
2. The circulation from a ceiling fan can disperse the cool air from lower areas (and air conditioning) into the central, inhabited areas of a room.
IIa. How do ceiling fans help heat in the winter?
Much the same as they help with cooling in circulation. Running your heat in the winter, hot air rises to the ceiling, and so much of the heat is wasted. Running a ceiling fan during the winter, to push down warm air from the ceiling and eliminate cold spots, can save a great deal of heating energy.
III. What rooms should have ceiling fans installed?
EVERY room. Depending on your personal preferences, any and every room can benefit from a ceiling fan installed. The more time people spend in a given room, the greater the benefit of a ceiling fan. For circulation, especially large rooms, and/or those with high and/or vaulted ceilings. People will have their preferences on where they most prefer the benefits, but ultimately any room is a good idea.
IV. What size fan is needed for a particular room?
Ceiling fans commonly come in two sizes: 52" for larger rooms and 42" for smaller rooms. Many companies offer 30-36" fans for exceptionally small rooms, and 56-60" fans for larger and/or commercial settings. The most common size by far is the 52" fan, which is typically appropriate for most rooms.
V. My ceiling is lower, do I need a hugger fan?
Hugger fans are designed to provide the minimum distance between the ceiling and the fan blades. This is ideal for lower ceilings as it provides the maximum clearance between the blades (and other lower parts of the fan such as lights) and the floor. The downside is that the shorter distance between the blades and the ceiling impedes circulation to a degree. Hugger ceiling fans are less effective than regular ceiling fans regardless of ceiling height.
VI. My ceiling is higher, how long of a downrod do I need?
For maximum circulation, the blades should be positioned 8-10 from the floor. However having the blades too far away from the ceiling can sometimes lessen the effectiveness of heat destratification. Not to having the blades 9 from the ceiling on a 15 ceiling may look a little imposing.
VIa. I have a vaulted ceiling, do I need a special kit?
Usually not. It is standard for fans to include hardware that will allow the fan to be mounted on a ceiling up to a ~30 degree incline. Hugger fans are not designed to be mounted on a vaulted ceiling. There are other rare exceptions, these are usually noted by the manufacturer and can be adapted.
VII. What sort of control options are available?
Most ceiling fans made in recent years have a built in three-speed pullchain control. Regardless of whether or not the fan is wired to a separate switch, you have full control of the fan from the chain. Off-high-medium-low. Most fans are also reversible and have a reverse switch built into the fan body. If the fan has a light, the light will have its own on-off pullchain. The entire fan assembly can be controlled without the benefit of a remote switch.
Many companies now offer fans with remote speed control options that allow for independent fan and light control without additional wall switches and wiring. These can include wireless remote controls, replacement wall switches, and computerized options that involve one, the other, or both. This allows a fan to be installed in a conventional two-wire hookup and benefit from the control options of a 3 wire (two switch) hookup without installing a third wire. The mobility of a wireless remote and the features of the computerized controls are additional benefits.
Ceiling fans with conventional pullchain controls can be retrofitted with remote speed control options such as those mentioned above. The retrofit kits include the wall or wireless remote control, and a receiver that is attached inside the ceiling fan canopy and wires between the fan and the power source. The receiver requires only a two-wire power source, switched or unswitched.
VIII. How many blades is best?
These days ceiling fans are available with any number of blades from one to eight, although any number below 3 and above 6 is for novelty or decorative purposes only. Most fans have 4 or 5 blades, some are adaptable to take either.
Most people assume that more blades move more air, i.e. a fan with five blades moves more air than a fan with four blades. This, in fact, is incorrect. More blades results in a greater load on the motor, and a greater load on the motor causes it to operate at a slower speed. A fan with less blades operating at a faster speed will more more air than a fan with more blades operating at a slower speed. This is why most commercial fans have three blades and a high speed motor, to provide the greatest amount of airflow efficiently.
IX. What are the quality differences between fans on the market?
Many different fans are available these days, with a great degree of different options, styles, designs, and prices. Often times people buy a fan for appearance-based reasons. But most consumers, about to spend a significant amount of money on a ceiling fan (or fans) are concerned about getting the best quality product, or at the very least the best quality product within their price range.
It is a commonly held theory that you get what you pay for: the more something costs, the better quality it is. As with many products, that is generally true with ceiling fans, but there are other factors. When you buy a ceiling fan you are paying for three things:
1. Quality and features 2. Design/style 3. Name recognition
The most expensive fan may be the best quality, or it may be the most expensive design, or it may be the best known brand name.
IXa. What makes a ceiling fan Energy Efficient? How do I consider this when choosing a fan?
There are three factors:
1. How much air is moved 2. How much current is drawn 3. The quality and construction of the fan
Obviously the most efficient ceiling fan would be that which has the best #1/#2 ratio. However #3 is also a very important factor in buying a ceiling fan, and just because a fan has the best ratio does not mean it moves the most air. A fan that draws very little power but moves very little air may be considered very efficient.
Additionally, if the fan has a light kit, the light kit is much more crucial to energy consumption than the fan motor. Ceiling fans typically draw ~100 watts or less on the highest speed setting, however the typical four socket light kit draws 240 watts consistently. Much more important than finding the most efficient motor, in this case, is maximizing the efficiency of the light kit. Compact Fluorescent light bulbs are ideal for this purpose-- the same light kit will then draw 60 watts or less.
X. Fan Operation: What speed and direction settings should be used?
This is a very subjective topic, and for most it was probably answered by parts I & II above. There are a number of factors that vary by setting and situation-- fan location, ceiling height, fan model, and most importantly, what purpose is intended. A few suggestions that may or may not apply:
1. It is unlikely that a fan would be used on high except to create a significant breeze. When you wish to do so the fan would be used in the downdraft setting. Depending on how much of a breeze is wanted medium speed may also be acceptable.
2. For a gentle breeze and circulation, in most cases the fan would be used on low in the downdraft setting.
3. To destratify heat (and for circulation) the fan would be generally set to updraft mode in low or medium speed. Heat can also be recirculated with low speed in the downdraft mode, depending on which produces more of a notable breeze.
XI. How effective are ceiling fans with heaters built in?
The most important thing to remember about any electric heater is that they use a great amount of electricity. This includes ceiling fan heaters as well as space heaters, etc. They are available with a variety of different sizes and settings, but the average uses ~1000 watts. It is not wise to use an electric heater unless it is absolutely necessary, using a heater ceiling fan (for example) in conjunction with an effective furnace etc will NOT save energy. So it would be a fair assumption that you should only consider a heater ceiling fan in a situation where you would also consider an electric space heater or the like.
XII. What is the use for a fan mounted outside, such as on a porch? What sort of fan is recommended?
If a fan is going to be exposed to rain and snow and such, youll want to make sure it is sealed so water cannot get into electrical parts. If its not actually going to be getting wet, just somewhere exposed to changes in climate (a covered porch, etc) you generally look for a fan with a finish that wont rust and blades that wont warp.
Many companies offer fans that are specifically rated for these situations. These fans will have Underwriters Laboratories certification for damp or wet locations. If a fan is going to be subjected to these conditions it is important that it is able to do so safely.
XIII. Ceiling fan lights-- what options are available?
Ceiling fans being used with light attachments have become more and more common as years progress. It is significantly easier to install a ceiling fan where there is an existing light fixture than where there is nothing, but if you are removing a light source you will need to replace it. As a result, the majority of ceiling fans sold include light kits already attached.

Installing a Ceiling Fan
Installing a ceiling fan can seem like a daunting task; however, you will find that if all the wiring is in place, installing a ceiling fan should be quite easy. Below you will find some important information in regards to installing a ceiling fan. Before getting started there are some items you may want to take into consideration. The size and style of the fan you choose will be very important with respect to installing a ceiling fan. In order to choose the correct fan, youll need to know the size of the room, as well as the type of ceiling you have.
Some people have vaulted ceilings which can make it difficult for installing a ceiling fan of a larger size. It will also make it difficult to position the fan properly if your ceiling is vaulted. Once you have selected the correct type of fan for your ceiling, it will be time to get started. With this tutorial of installing a ceiling fan, if youve never installed a lighting fixture before, youll want to pay close attention to the instructions listed below.
Installing a Ceiling Fan
Pre-Installation:
1. Turn off the power - This is probably the most important step when it comes to removing or installing electrical fixtures. It will be important that you follow this procedure as closely as possible. Do not just turn off the light switch that controls the light. You will want to turn off the breaker that controls the light in the room you plan on installing a ceiling fan.
2. Removing the old light fixture - This process should be done in the middle of the day so you can open your blinds or window shades in order to allow for enough light. Depending on the type of fixture youre going to remove, its a matter of disassembling your old fixture and removing it from the light electrical box.
3. Disconnecting the wires - You want to make sure that you disconnect the wires from the old assembly, but make sure you marked each wire as to its proper location. This will make it easier when installing a ceiling fan.
4. Inspect the old electrical box - Make sure the electrical box that is currently installed can handle the fan weight and is mounted to either a truss, or a cross brace. This will ensure that when you install your new fan that it will have a proper foundation in order to work properly. If for some reason your electrical box is not mounted properly, it will be important for you to get the correct electrical box and mounting brace. When installing a ceiling fan weight will be an important factor, choose wisely.
Installing a Ceiling Fan
Installation:
Before getting started on installing a ceiling fan, make sure you read through the directions that come with your new fan. You will be surprised at how easily you will recall this information during the installation process. Make sure you have everything laid out in a way that you can select each item as you move along.
5. Installing a ceiling fan mounting bracket - The first thing you want to do is install the new mounting bracket onto the electrical box. This mounting bracket is what will actually hold the new fan.
6. Use the working hook - Because of the weight of a ceiling fan motor, the manufactures are well aware that you cant hold the ceiling fan motor in one hand and secure the wiring with the other. So theyve made something thats called a "working hook", which allows you to hang the fan motor on the hook while you are assembling the wiring.
7. Matching and securing the wires - In the step you will secure the wiring using the proper color codes. In the US, the white wire will be the neutral, the black wire will be a hot or (power leg) and the copper or green wire will be the ground. Sometimes well see a red wire which is considered a loop depending on how many light switches control a single light. Typically when you see this wire you have multiple light switches within one configuration. Just make sure to follow the wiring exactly as you remove the old fixture and you shouldnt have a problem.
8. Secure the fan motor - Its time to secure the fan motor to the fan mounting bracket. You want to push all the wiring inside the electrical box, and then secure the fan motor to the mounting bracket with the mounting bolts that have been supplied.
9. Install fan blades - After mounting the fan motor and putting on the cover, it will be time to install the fan blades. One by one attach each blade and secure with the accompanying hardware. Make sure that each fan blade is installed properly because you do not want your fan to be unbalanced.
10. Check your work - Once youve completed the installation, its time to turn our back on to check your work. Make sure that your light switch is turned off, and go out and turn your break your back on, and when you return to the room turn your light switch on and make sure your fan works properly as well as your lights.
Installing a ceiling fan is not as difficult as one may think. The biggest intimidation is when a person thinks about working with electricity. As long as your electricity is off, its a matter of disassembling the current fixture and replacing it with a fan of your choice. Follow these steps closely and you will see that once your ceiling fan has been installed, youll be able to enjoy the new cool breeze, as well as the fact that you performed the installation.